Prosecutors Appeal Controversial Rape Sentence In Montana

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KMVT News

Billings, Montana (CNN) - Montana prosecutors are appealing a controversial 30 day sentence for a former teacher convicted of raping his student.

Montana attorney general Tim Fox filed the appeal today, describing the sentence as "illegal." It came the same day Judge G. Todd Baugh filed a court order admitting the sentence he imposed may be against the law.

Baugh sentenced Stacey Dean Rambold to 15 years in prison with all but a month suspended. Prosecutors claim the mandatory minimum sentence is two years.

Rambold admitted to raping Cherice Moralez when she was 14 years old. She took her own life shortly before her 17th birthday. Baugh sparked widespread protests after saying the victim seemed "older than her chronological age."